LECTURE 1 : LOGARITHM

MR.SAMUEL OPOKU BINEY( FIIFI)

GOLDEN SUNBEAM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

September 22, 2024

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 Introduction to Logarithms

A logarithm is the power to which a number must be raised to obtain

another number.
For example, if 102 = 100, then log10 100 = 2.
Common logarithms use base 10, while natural logarithms use base e
(Euler’s number).

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 Properties of Logarithms

Product Rule: logb (MN) = logb M + logb N

Quotient Rule: logb M


N = logb M − logb N
Power Rule: logb (M k ) = k logb M
logk M
Change of Base Rule: logb M = logk b

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 Reading the Logarithm Table

Logarithm tables provide the logarithms of numbers between 1 and

10.
To find the logarithm of a number, break it into two parts: the
characteristic and the mantissa.
Example: To find log10 456.8:
The characteristic is 2 (since 456.8 is between 100 and 1000).
Use the logarithm table to find the mantissa for 4.568.
Final log value: log10 456.8 ≈ 2 + 0.6596 = 2.6596.

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 Reading the Antilogarithm Table

The antilogarithm is the inverse of the logarithm.

To find the antilog, use the antilogarithm table.
Example: To find the number corresponding to log10 2.6596:
The characteristic is 2, so the number is between 100 and 1000.
Look up the mantissa 0.6596 in the antilogarithm table to get 4.568.
Final number: 456.8.

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 Example 1: Using the Logarithm Table

Question: Calculate 453.2 × 0.00657 using logarithm tables.

Solution
Step 1: Write numbers in standard form: 453.2 = 4.532 × 102 and
0.00657 = 6.57 × 10−3 .
Step 2: Find the logarithms:
log10 4.532 = 0.6568
log10 6.57 = 0.8172
Add the exponents: 2 + (−3) = −1
Step 3: Sum the logs: 0.6568 + 0.8172 = 1.4740
Step 4: Add the exponents: 1.4740 + (−1) = 0.4740
Step 5: Find the antilog of 0.4740: ≈ 2.993 × 100 = 2.993.
Final answer: 453.2 × 0.00657 ≈ 2.993.

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 Example 2: Using the Antilogarithm Table

Question: If log10 x = 3.2431, find the value of x.

Solution
Step 1: The characteristic is 3, so x is between 1000 and 10000.
Step 2: Look up the mantissa 0.2431 in the antilog table, which gives
1.754.
Step 3: Multiply by 103 to get x ≈ 1754.

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 Introduction to Logarithmic Equations

A logarithmic equation is an equation that involves a logarithm with a

variable inside its argument.
The general form is: logb (f (x)) = c, where f (x) is a function and c
is a constant.
To solve, you can rewrite the logarithmic equation in its exponential
form: f (x) = b c .
Always check for extraneous solutions, especially when working with
logarithms.

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 Properties of Logarithmic Equations

Equality Property: If logb (x) = logb (y ), then x = y .

Product Rule: logb (MN) = logb M + logb N
Quotient Rule: logb M


N = logb M − logb N
Power Rule: logb (M k ) = k logb M

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 Example 1: Solve log2 (x) = 5

Question: Solve for x in the equation log2 (x) = 5.

Solution
Step 1: Rewrite the equation in exponential form: x = 25 .
Step 2: Calculate 25 : x = 32.
Final answer: x = 32.

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 Example 2: Solve log3 (x − 2) = 4

Question: Solve for x in the equation log3 (x − 2) = 4.

Solution
Step 1: Rewrite the equation in exponential form: x − 2 = 34 .
Step 2: Calculate 34 = 81, so x − 2 = 81.
Step 3: Solve for x: x = 81 + 2 = 83.
Final answer: x = 83.

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 Example 3: Solve log5 (3x + 2) = 2

Question: Solve for x in the equation log5 (3x + 2) = 2.

Solution
Step 1: Rewrite the equation in exponential form: 3x + 2 = 52 .
Step 2: Calculate 52 = 25, so 3x + 2 = 25.
Step 3: Solve for x:
3x = 25 − 2 = 23
23
x= ≈ 7.67
3
Final answer: x ≈ 7.67.

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 Example 4: Solve log2 (x) + log2 (x − 2) = 3

Question: Solve for x in the equation log2 (x) + log2 (x − 2) = 3.

Solution
Step 1: Use the product rule: log2 (x(x − 2)) = 3.
Step 2: Rewrite the equation in exponential form:

x(x − 2) = 23 = 8

Step 3: Expand the equation:

x 2 − 2x = 8

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 Step 4: Solve the quadratic equation:

x 2 − 2x − 8 = 0

Step 5: Factor the quadratic:

(x − 4)(x + 2) = 0

Step 6: Solve for x:

x =4 or x = −2
Since logarithms are only defined for positive values, x = 4 is the
valid solution.
Final answer: x = 4.

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 Example 5: Solve 2 log3 (x) − log3 (4) = 2

Question: Solve for x in the equation 2 log3 (x) − log3 (4) = 2.

Solution
Step 1: Combine the logarithms using the quotient rule:
 2
x
log3 =2
4

Step 2: Rewrite the equation in exponential form:

x2
= 32 = 9
4
Step 3: Multiply both sides by 4:

x 2 = 36

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 Step 4: Solve for x:
√
x= 36 = 6 or x = −6

Since x must be positive for logarithms, the valid solution is x = 6.

Final answer: x = 6.

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 Summary

Logarithms simplify multiplication and division of numbers.

The logarithm table provides log values, while the antilog table helps
reverse them.
Practice using these tables for accuracy in exams.
To solve logarithmic equations, rewrite them in exponential form and
apply logarithmic properties.
Always check for extraneous solutions and ensure the values are valid
for logarithmic definitions.
Practice different types of logarithmic equations for better
understanding.

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